Highland trooper fatally shoots Newburgh man after struggle

NEWBURGH , N.Y. -- State police say a trooper who's based in Ulster County shot and killed a 51-year-old man who struggled with the officer after a traffic stop.

State police Maj. Ed Raso said Trooper David B. Ruderfer, 31, of the Highland barracks, pulled over William C. Baynes of Newburgh at 7:40 p.m. Thursday on state Route 32 in the Orange County town of Newburgh.

A struggle ensued on the shoulder of the roadway, according to police, and Ruderfer shot Baynes once in the abdomen with his pistol. Baines was taken to St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, where he later died.

Ruderfer, who suffered cuts and bruises during the scuffle, will be temporarily assigned to administrative duties.

Raso said an administrative review and criminal investigation, including presentation to a grand jury, will be done in this case, as they are in all trooper-involved shootings.